Congratulations on your academic endeavor! The Reach for the Stars (RFTS) Nursing Scholarship is made possible by generosity of donors who are passionate about St. Joseph's Health team members pursuing careers in nursing. A scholarship committee will re-view applications and award funds based on employees who demonstrate the greatest potential to succeed in becoming Registered Nurses. Preference will be given to employees pursuing an ADN. Limited scholarship available for RN to BSN applicants. Scholarship funds cover cost including but not limited to tuition, educational materials, uniforms, and other program approved educational expenses.
 

Important:

The RFTS scholarship opens May 1st-31st and October 1st-31st each year. It is open till midnight of the last day.

If you apply for May, interviews will be conducted in June, you must be available for interviews. If you apply for October, interviews will be conducted in November, you must be available.

Three St. Joseph's Health (SJH) recommendations must be completed on your behalf- one (1) from your direct supervisor and two (2) from St. Josephs peers. It is your responsibility to provide the links to your leaders and peers within the St. Joseph's organization. The links are provided at the end of the application. Recommendations would be made at the same time of your cycle. If you apply in May, the recommendations would be due by May 31st. If you apply, October recommendations would be due October 31st. Links are provided at the end of the application.

Read the SJH Reach for The Stars Policy regarding the RFTS scholarship to learn more about eligibility, grading criteria, and recipient terms prior to beginning the application.

Eligibility Requirements (As required by Reach for the Stars Program)

An applicant must be:
Current St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center employee interested in pursuing a nursing career and must maintain at least part-time employment (8-12 hours per week) at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center throughout the course of the program.
Employed at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center for at least 6 months at the time of scholarship application and have no hospital disciplinary action write up in the previous 12 months.
Must have completed prerequisites for nursing school and accepted to, or enrolled in an ADN, AAS, BSN or ABSN program at one of the following schools:

• Onondaga Community College, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215 
• SUNY Empire 2 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 
• SUNY Morrisville 80 Eaton St, Morrisville, NY 13408 
• SUNY Binghamton 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850 
• Mohawk Valley Community College 1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501 

Eligible for in-state tuition only
Willing to commit to employment with St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center for 2 year(s) upon completion of nursing degree
Limited scholarships available for RN to BSN applicants
Review the policy labeled Reach For The Stars  

Application Process

• Complete and submit application form that includes a 500-word personal statement on why you should be awarded the scholarship.
• Submit three (3) recommendation letters. All three recommendations must be from professional sources working within St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center (NO family members). One of the recommendations must be from the applicant’s direct supervisor / manager who is familiar with the applicant’s work performance.
• Participate in a panel interview.
• Submit application by (insert date) which is also designated on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center website.

Application Materials

• Application form, along with supplemental items, including college transcripts, if applicable, and nursing school admittance letter
• Personal statement form
• Recommendation forms

Accepting Applications: May 1st-31st and October 1st-31st each year Decisions Made by: If you apply for May, interviews will be conducted in June, you must be available for interviews. Decisions made in June. If you apply for October, interviews will be conducted November, you must be available. Decisions made in November. Recipient of the Scholarship Will Receive:

• Tuition
• Receive $1,000.00 to be used for other related expenses, such as nursing uniforms, nursing shoes a stethoscope, patches, pins, and other miscellaneous school related expenses
• The scholarship will cover HESI and NCLEX exam fees if not included in school’s tuition and fee schedule.